Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALGITZE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALGITZE’, particularly characterized by small, greenish-yellow, striped flowers with dark reddish-orange and purplish-pink lips, slightly raised calluses, oblong lateral lobes of the lip, a short and compact plant, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALGITZE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHALGITZE’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new, short Phalaenopsis plantwith numerous attractive and unique, small, greenish-yellow, stripedflowers with dark reddish-orange and purplish-pink lips, suitable forpotted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALGITZE’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in May 2010 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of theproprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘21864-012’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘17414-03’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in May 2013. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2014 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Aug. 30, 2019 (Application no. 2019/2060), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHALGITZE’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHALGITZE’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHALGITZE’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) Small, greenish-yellow, striped flowers with dark        reddish-orange and purplish-pink lips;    -   2) Callus is slightly raised;    -   3) Lateral lobe of the lip is oblong; and    -   4) Plant is short and compact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 50-week-old plants in December 2020. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, andfoliage of ‘PHALGITZE’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALGITZE’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALGITZE’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALGITZE’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in December 2020 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALGITZE’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘21864-012’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘17414-03’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B            and 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots having            yellow-green (a color in between RHS N144C and N144D)            colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After            transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished            after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with raceme and panicle inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 22.0 cm to 27.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 21.0 cm to 23.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 6 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 9.0 cm            to 12.0 cm. Width: 4.0 cm to 5.0 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Narrow            oblong. Base shape: Moderately to slightly elongated. Apex:            Obtuse asymmetric. Leaf blade angle with the petiole            (measured from the horizontal position): Between 15 degrees            and 30 degrees. Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface:            RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B. Texture (both upper and            lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 1.9 mm to 2.2 mm.            Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of            the midvein: Upper surface: A color in between RHS 187B and            200B. Lower surface: RHS 187B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—10 to 13.        -   Length.—22.0 cm to 27.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Yellow-green (RHS 146C) with a touch of brown (RHS            200B).        -   Internode length.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme and panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 110.0 mm to            130.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 50.0 mm to 55.0 mm. Diameter: 50.0 mm to            55.0 mm. Depth of lip: About 26.0 mm to 28.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 8 to 10 weeks.        -   Flower shape.—Flat.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium to large. Length: 21.0 mm            to 23.0 mm. Width: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.            Color: Yellowish-green (a color in between RHS N144A and            N144D) with diluting reddish stripes (RHS 182B).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Obtuse asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to            tip): 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm. Width: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm.            Position of the broadest part of the petal: At the middle.            Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color:            Greenish-yellow (RHS 6B) toward margin. Over color:            Reddish-brown stripes (RHS 176B). Lower surface: Basic            color: Greenish-yellow (a color in between RHS 1B and 151B).            Over color: Diluting light reddish-brown stripes (RHS 177B)            toward margin. Number of spots and stripes on the petals            (upper surface): Medium stripes. Color of spots and stripes            on the petals (upper surface): RHS 176B. Density of netting            of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting            (upper surface): None.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Flat symmetric. Margin:            Entire. Length (from base to tip): 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm.            Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of            the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully opened):            Upper surface: Basic color: Greenish-yellow (RHS 1A). Over            color: Red stripes (RHS 176A). Lower surface: Basic color:            Greenish-yellow (a color in between RHS 1B and 151B). Over            color: Diluting reddish-orange stripes (RHS 177C). Number of            spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface):            Medium to many stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the            dorsal sepals (upper surface): RHS 176A. Density of netting            of the dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the            netting: None.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 29.0 mm to            31.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Greenish-yellow            (RHS 151B). Over color: Light greenish-yellow (RHS 4B) on            side; striped (a color in between RHS 176A and 176B) and            very small dots (RHS 176A) at the base. Lower surface: Basic            color: Greenish-yellow (RHS 151B). Over color: Diluting            reddish-orange stripes (RHS 177C). Number of spots, dots,            and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): Medium            stripes and medium of very small dots at the base. Color of            spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper            surface): Stripes are a color in between RHS 176A and 176B            and dots are RHS 176A. Density of netting of the lateral            sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper            surface): None.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present, but very short. Length of            whiskers: 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Purplish-red            (RHS 186A) with white tips (RHS NN155C). Pubescence on the            lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type III (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); oblong.            Margin: Slightly undulated. Length: 11.0 mm to 13.0 mm.            Width: 4.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Greenish (RHS            6B); dotted (RHS 181A) at the base; red (RHS 184B) and            purplish-red (RHS 185C) toward the tip. Lower surface:            Greenish-yellow (RHS 6C) at the base; light greenish-yellow            (RHS 160C) at the middle toward the tip and red (RHS 181A)            toward the margin. Number of spots and stripes on the            lateral lobe: Few very small spots at the base. Color of            spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS 181A. Density of            netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of the netting:            None.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Ovate to elliptic. Margin: Entire.            Length: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm.            Color: Upper surface: Hint of yellow (RHS 13A) and dark            reddish-orange (RHS 178A) at the base; purplish-red (RHS            186B) and dark purplish-pink (RHS 186C) toward whiskers.            Lower surface: Touch of light yellow (a color in between RHS            163C and 163D) at the base; white (RHS 155C) at the middle            toward whiskers and touch of purplish-pink (RHS N78C) toward            margin. Number of spots and stripes on the apical lobe:            None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: None.            Density of netting of the apical lobe: None. Color of the            netting: None. Bump and ridge: Medium.        -   Callus.—Average size: Very small to small. Height: 3.0 mm to            4.0 mm. Length: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.            Color: Yellow tips (RHS 12A); light greenish-yellow (RHS 8B)            on sides; dotted (RHS 176A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 3.9 mm to            4.3 mm. Color: Very light purple (RHS 76B) at the base with            white tip (RHS NN155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm. Color:            Orange (RHS 24A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Diameter: 1.3 mm to 1.6            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm. Diameter: 1.7 mm to            2.0 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Yellow-green (RHS 144C) at            the base and light yellow-green (RHS 145C) toward the            flower.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALGITZE’ differs from the female parent plant ‘21864-012’(unpatented) in that ‘PHALGITZE’ has flowers with a striped pattern andvery short whiskers, whereas ‘21864-012’ has flowers with a spottedpattern at the base and no whiskers. Additionally, ‘PHALGITZE’ hassmaller flowers than ‘21864-012’.

‘PHALGITZE’ differs from the male parent plant ‘17414-03’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHALGITZE’ has flowers with a main color of greenish-yellow andvery short whiskers, whereas ‘17414-03’ has flowers with a main color ofpurple and no whiskers. Additionally, ‘PHALGITZE’ has larger flowersthan ‘17414-03’.

‘PHALGITZE’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALYPBE’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/923,579) and‘PHALGALYI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,051). ‘PHALGITZE’ differs from thecommercial variety ‘PHALYPBE’ in that ‘PHALGITZE’ has ovate to ellipticapical lobes, whereas ‘PHALYPBE’ has rhombic apical lobes. Additionally,‘PHALGITZE’ has narrower petals than ‘PHALYPBE’.

‘PHALGITZE’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALGALYI’ in that‘PHALGITZE’ has purplish-red whiskers with white tips and oblong laterallobes, whereas ‘PHALGALYI’ has greenish-yellow whiskers and weaklyspatulate lateral lobes. Additionally, ‘PHALGITZE’ has narrower petalsthan ‘PHALGALYI’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALGITZE’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.